UPDATE 2 - Trump sends border czar to Minnesota amid tensions, deportation operations

ADDS DETAILS; CHANGES DECK

By Yasin Gungor

ISTANBUL (AA) - US President Donald Trump said Monday he is dispatching border czar Tom Homan to the state of Minnesota as tensions escalate following two fatal shootings by immigration enforcement agents.

"I am sending Tom Homan to Minnesota tonight," Trump wrote on his social media platform Truth Social, adding that Homan "has not been involved in that area, but knows and likes many of the people there."

He said Homan, who oversees US border security and leads mass deportation efforts, is "tough but fair, and will report directly" to him.

Trump also said a "major investigation" is underway in the US state related to an alleged fraud and suggested it is "at least partially responsible for the violent organized protests going on in the streets." He earlier claimed local officials use the unfolding events as a “cover-up” for allegedly stolen public funds.

The accusations stem from unproven claims by a right-wing influencer alleging fraud related to publicly subsidized daycare centers among Minneapolis' Somali residents, which local officials deny.

White House said Homan will be managing Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations on the ground in Minnesota “to continue arresting the worst of the worst criminal illegal aliens.”

“In addition, Tom will coordinate with those leading investigations into the massive, widespread fraud that has resulted in billions of taxpayer dollars being stolen from law-abiding citizens in Minnesota,” said spokesperson Karoline Leavitt through US social media company X.

US Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said Homan's arrival "is good news for peace, safety, and accountability in Minneapolis."

"We continue to call on the leadership in Minnesota to allow for state and local partnership in our public safety mission," she added.

- Trump says Minnesota governor requested cooperation

The US president said in a separate statement that Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz requested cooperation on criminal enforcement, adding they "seemed to be on a similar wavelength" during a phone call.

"It was a very good call," he said, adding he told Walz that Homan would contact him, and that Washington is seeking any criminals in state custody.

"The Governor, very respectfully, understood that, and I will be speaking to him in the near future,” said Trump.

He said Walz was happy about Homan coming to Minnesota, and added that both want to further improve the state's crime situation despite a decrease in the crime rate.

Walz did not immediately comment on Trump's characterization of their discussion.

The deployment follows two shooting deaths of American citizens by federal agents during immigration operations, sparking mass protests in Minneapolis.

Trump urged Minnesota officials Saturday to let ICE "patriots do their job," warning that those still in the state illegally would create "something far worse than you are witnessing today."